Increased tight junction permeability and overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines are crucial pathophysiological mechanisms in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This study evaluated anti-inflammatory effects of aqueous ethanolic Gryllus bimaculatus extract (AE-GBE) against intestinal permeability on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated Caco-2 cells. Treatment with AE-GBE increased cell viability and significantly reduced inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide and LPS-induced reactive oxidative stress. LPS increased the expression levels of iNOS, Cox-2, and 4-hydroxylnonenal; however, these levels were attenuated by AE-GBE treatment. Moreover, the mRNA and protein expression levels of the inflammatory cytokines TNFα, IL-6, IL-1β, and IFNγ were increased by LPS, but were significantly reduced by AE-GBE treatment. Intestinal epithelial permeability and the related expression of the proteins Zoula ocludence-1, occludin, and claudin-1 was increased by LPS treatment, and this effect was significantly reduced by AE-GBE treatment. The reduction in AMPK phosphorylation in LPS-treated Caco-2 cells was reversed in activation by co-treatment with AE-GBE. In conclusion, AE-GBE can protect epithelial cells from LPS-induced impaired barrier integrity by increasing tight junction proteins and preventing various inflammatory mediators. Thus, AE-GBE has the potential to improve inflammation-related diseases, including IBD, by inhibiting excessive production of inflammation-inducing mediators.
Keywords: Caco-2; Gryllus bimaculatus; inflammatory mediators; lipopolysaccharides; tight junction.